Deb's Journal

Update: 33 day post open heart surgery to replace aortic root and aortic valve. I have not put anything on this sight but thought there might be a few people who might be wondering how I am doing. First off- it was horrible and painful- I woke up with the breathing tube in ICU until they new I could breath on my own. They could not keep ahead of the pain until the physicians came up with a new plan- I also had bouts of Afib and my legs and feet held so much fluid they looked like stumps with bricks at the end for feet. I was in ICU and then moved to a step down room and discharged on day 6- I slept in a recliner the first two weeks at home and then made it to the bed where to this day I lay flat in one spot all night. I can not lay on my side yet due to having a full sternotomy that won’t fully heal for 3 to 4 months. I had my 3rd cardiac rehab today and will be going 3 times a week for a total of 36 visits. It is physically exhausting and when I get home I have been going straight to the recliner and napping-not only am I trying to recover physically but it’s a fact that people who have this surgery have good and bad days emotionally for several months (I cry a lot) and because I had expected a faster recovery time, I have days I get discouraged. I am so thankful this is behind me and it was successful- I will get back to myself eventually it just takes time- I need to tell myself this often.

Going home full OHS Aortic valve and aortic root replacement- nothing could have prepared me for the intense pain of this surgery- it took some time for doctors to get the pain in control- still so many hoses, wires and tubes everywhere- I went home day 6 post op- moving slowly and no appetite. First night in the recliner. So thankful for skilled medical team 

Has anyone had an aortic valve replacement using TAVR that is under the age of 65? I am 63 and waiting to get called in for a CT Angio to see if I am a candidate for the TAVR.

Wednesday February 22nd I will be checked into Mayo/Rochester for a stress test in the morning and in the afternoon I will be having a surgeon consult.  I expect I will be set with a surgery date at that time.  It's getting real folks.

I had my Echo and cardiologist appointment yesterday. I have gone from moderate/severe to severe aortic stenosis. They have scheduled me for a stress test next week to see if it brings on symptoms. Has anyone else ever had to do this when you had a severe AS diagnosis? My valve opening is .91 cm a normal size should be 3.0 cm Any thoughts?

Do you think it’s possible that my current fatigue is due to moderate/severe aortic stenosis? I am 63 so was thinking I’m just tired more cause I’m getting older- I’ve sent the question to cardiologist through patient portal but haven’t heard back yet.

I am looking into TAVR and ran across and article about an FDA approved system to use when placing a TAVR to prevent plaque breaking off, traveling to the brain and stroke. It is called SENTINEL Cerebral Protection System has anyone who had this while receiving a TAVR aortic valve?